PBDS Baru manifesto highlights demands to incoming government

KUCHING: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru ( PBDS Baru) unveiled its election manifesto yesterday listing mainly its demands to whoever forms the government after the 14th general election (GE14).

The manifesto – signed by party president Cobbold John – was unveiled by deputy president Patrick Anek Uren who said that as a ‘ small’ party, PBDS Baru did not envision itself forming the government of the day in the immediate future.

“PBDS Baru’s political struggle is only in its infancy and we will continue to struggle for the betterment of the people of Sarawak and the otherwise forgotten Dayaks, whose sizeable population in rural Sarawak should be given the proper perspective and development imperatives.

“PBDS Baru will continue to promote and highlight the need to develop and prosper the people in Sarawak – a partner with Sabah and Malaya in the formation of Malaysia – within the purview of MA63 ( Malaysia Agreement 1963),” he said.

For the coming GE14, Anek said the party’s manifesto encompasses 44 demands to create greater awareness of what Sarawak needs.

Among the demands listed in the manifesto are for the term ‘Bansa Dayak’ to replace ‘lain-lain’ on all official forms in Malaysia; a full review of MA63 and in pursuance thereto to push for the 1976 constitutional amendment to be removed; and for the return of the pre-Malaysia status of Sarawak and Sabah.

It also demands that Petronas voluntarily surrender back to Sarawak the rights over oil and gas and in pursuance of that, Putrajaya should return all the revenues earned from oil and gas, less Sarawak’s contribution to defence and security of the nation.

Anek said PBDS Baru is also pushing for the post of Prime Minister to be rotated (maximum two terms) among the partners of Malaysia, namely Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

“We in PBDS Baru also demand that 60 per cent of revenues collected from Sarawak should remain in Sarawak so that the state is able to finance its own development of good and modern road networks, rural primary schools and secondary schools.

“Equal oppor tunit ies of employment in the state public sector and in federal agencies that have offices in Sarawak should be given to locals of the various races,” he said.

Cobbold, PBDS Baru protem Women chief Sylvia John Gemok and Youth chief Rapelson Richard were present during the manifesto’s unveiling.

(Seated, from second right) Anek, Cobbold and other PBDS Baru members during the unveiling of the party’s election manifesto.